What do you say to a little (8 year old) kid who is in your care, whose family you know is religious, when he asks you about God, angels, and the Devil? I've tried to brush it off, "That's something you ask your parents." But he keeps asking. I like his curiousity in things, he has to know how everything works, but this is something I really feel I shouldn't talk to him about...but at the same time, I'd like him to hear both sides of the spectrum some day of his life. I know he's too young right now and he's not my kid. He's really interested on why I don't go to church anymore when my brother does. Should the the basic ideas of Atheism and other religions be exposed to him?
(PS: His parents are away and I can only contact them in emergencies)
2006-10-21 04:47:02 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Small but fierce, I don't think I've ever encountered you, otherwise you'd know that I don't push, just defend. I'm guessing you're Christian from that whiney tone you're portraying.
2006-10-21 05:04:59 · update #1
He should learn of all religions...but not from you. You seem to mean well, but that is up to his parents. At his age, when he begins asking questions, give him an answer that would be similar to what his parents would say. If you can't do that, then tell a little white lie and say that you don't know the answer to the question, and that his parents are better able to answer it.
In so far as not going to church, just simply tell him you don't enjoy it. That's rather truthful.
2006-10-21 04:52:39 · answer #1 · answered by . 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the child is still very young, you should tell him to ask his parents. It is okay, to not know all the answers, to give a child.
He will learn all about atheism in public schools, if thats where the parents send him.
the best thing you could do, is wait and ask his parents, if it is okay to teach him other things. If you feel that they would say no, then don't tell him about this stuff. Tell him to ask a different question.
It important as a babysitter or care giver, to know and respect the wishes of the childs parent.
I think you should follow your own feelings and thoughts on this. All accept the part about telling him about other religions and the athiest point of view. Like I said above, he will learn all about atheist views in school.
2006-10-21 12:01:07 · answer #2 · answered by chara 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try to be careful what u say to an 8 year old. he is still very young. let the parents or proffesionals deal with it. it would be different if the 8 year old was an adult. i do have a 10 year old and i would appreciate me doing that type of talk. maybe tell the 8 year old that maybe he should ask his parents this question and quickly change subject and do something fun.
2006-10-21 13:37:32 · answer #3 · answered by havingfun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
8 years old is not too young to expose a child to different ideas and concepts. if he's interested in your point of view ... give it to him. encourage his exploration of new ideas by telling him your truth and reference the fact that people all over the world have religious concepts different from yours and that of his parents. have some faith in the kid's intelligence. he's not a Santa believing baby anymore. right?
2006-10-21 11:58:54 · answer #4 · answered by nebtet 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you should explain that you don't share his parents' beliefs about these things. These kinds of things are matters that people have a lot of different beliefs about.
You don't go to church because you don't believe in God.
And that, since you don't share his parents' beliefs, he should ask them or his (whoever is the person in his church he should talk to) about these kinds of things.
I think you should be open to answering his questions about your beliefs.
From the tone of your question, it seems you aren't trying to "convert" him. He has honest questions. As long as you also keep referring him to fellow believers (parents and church-people), you aren't doing anything wrong by being honest.
2006-10-21 14:23:06 · answer #5 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could just say, "I don't know God, angels, or the devil, so I can't answer your questions about them." If he asks you other questions after that, just answer them plainly. One can answer questions honestly without attempting to be persuasive. Just say what is true for you, not what you believe to be true for all. There is a distinction here.
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(Oh, bummer, I got involved in the question and therefore forgot it was addressed to atheists only. I'm sorry. I'm not an atheist.)
2006-10-21 11:52:34 · answer #6 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would explain to him that nobody knows the truth, and then explain as many different religious ideas you can think of. Give them a broad spectrum... that way you can't be blamed for turning them atheist but you will be doing them a service by broadening their view of the world.
2006-10-21 18:09:26 · answer #7 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have the same issue with my daughter, who is seven. I tell her that different people believe different things,and that they are all just someone's opinion. I also try to tell her about religions other than christianity and tell her that when she is older she will be allowed to make her own decisions.
2006-10-21 11:53:04 · answer #8 · answered by Jensenfan 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to go too far, explaning the ins and outs of atheism, just tell him that people have all kinds of different beliefs, and yours don't require you to go to church. It's hard though, I wouldn't want to be in that situation, I sympathise.
2006-10-21 11:53:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not your place to tell him about "both sides". I'm not a Christian, but if I were and I left my child in your care, I would definitely have a problem with that. Just tell him he has to ask his parents. Not every question needs to be answered by you.
2006-10-21 11:50:13 · answer #10 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋